Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
incense cedar
Family Name:
Cupressaceae
Botanical Name:
Calocedrus decurrens
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Characteristics:
Trees generally reach heights of 60 to 80 feet in coastal regions and about 150 feet in the mountain area. The pyramidal crown is dense and narrow. The bark on mature trees is dark brown, fibrous, and deeply furrowed. The decurrens have flattened branchlets with green overlapping scales. This monoecious tree has oblong cones that are about 1 inch long and hang from the tips of branches. The stroboli shed pollen in late winter and early spring. The cones mature in late summer and the seeds are dispersed by the wind.
Compound:
Cal dec
Geographic Origin:
Western North America
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The genus name "Calocedrus" is from the Greek word meaning "beautiful," and the species name means "extending down". This species was formerly known as Libocedrus decurrens. It is commonly known as the California incense cedar because of the highly aromatic fragrance of its wood. This is a very old species- many trees reach ages well over 500 years.
Cultivation Notes:
Ethnobotany:
This species is ideally suited for the manufacturing of pencils because of its softwood, straight grain, and its ability to be whittled easily. The tree is also used quite commonly for exterior siding and shingles because the wood is resistant to decay. Other common uses for this species include interior siding, window sashes, sheathing, benches, fencing, poles, and trellises.
Height:
50 - 100 feet
Width:
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Function:
Spread:
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Benign
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